Washburn Women Fall in Regional Semifinals

CANYON, Texas (WU Sports Information) -- No. 7 Washburn had its season ended with a 56-51 loss to Northeastern State in the South Central Regional semifinals on Saturday night at the First United Bank Center in Canyon. The Lady Blues finish the season 27-4 overall.

Washburn came out hot hitting on seven of its first 14 shots and led 15-5 with six and half minutes gone by. The Lady Blues pushed the lead to as many as 12 at 22-10 with 8:14 remaining in the opening half, but WU went cold from the field after that. NSU (28-6) closed the half on a 15-6 run and the Washburn lead was 28-25 at halftime.

Northeastern State took its first lead since 2-0 at 31-30 with 17:17 to play in the game. NSU pushed the lead to three, but a 7-0 run gave Washburn a 37-33 lead with 13:28 to play. The lead changed hands three times before the Riverhawks grabbed the lead for good at 47-45 with 5:44 to play in the game.

NSU pushed the lead to as many as five with just over two minutes remaining. The Lady Blues cut the lead to three with :23 to play, but could get no closer.

Brette Ulsaker led Washburn with 16 points, while Hope Gregory and Dayna Rodriguez each recorded their fifth double-double of the season. Gregory had 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Rodriguez had 13 and 11. The Lady Blues were 18-of-54 from the field for 33 percent and made just 5-of-26 three point attempts, including 1-of-13 in the second half.

NSU shot 40 percent from the floor, 19-of-47 and were led in scoring by Taylor Lewis with 13 points. 10 different Northeastern players scored. NSU also out-rebounded the Lady Blues 38-36.